Fires in the region are impacting the air quality. Wildfire information officer for the Grande Prairie Forest Area Kelly Burke says smoke from Wildfires burning in northeastern B.C. is drifting southeast into the region.
“There’s also a big fire burning in the Peace River area, in the Chinchaga area. It’s a thousand hectares at the moment, so you’re going to see smoke drifting in over the next couple of days.”
Adding in other fires in the Lac La Biche area of Alberta, as well as Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Burke say smoky conditions could continue for the next week.
That smoke has lowered the air quality in the Grande Prairie region. The city’s air quality index reached 5 Thursday to four Thursday afternoon, which is a moderate risk, while the Town of Beaverlodge registered a 7, which is high.
The province’s air monitoring site says this could create problems for those who may struggle with breathing issues or are performing strenuous activity outdoors. Burke urges anyone with health concerns to call Alberta Health Services at 8-1-1.
“If there is smoke in the air, close your windows, stay inside, refrain from heavy exercise.”
A fire advisory remains in place for the Grande Prairie Forest Area, as well as the County of Grande Prairie and MD of Greenview.
